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Big Ten Football Awards Gala

The Awards Gala was a night to honor the Big Ten and its
student-athlete achievements. Awards were given out and we were all reminded why
being apart of the Big Ten is something special. We should take great pride in
this conference, its schools, its students, and its student-athletes of the
past, present and future.

The Big Ten stars were out on this special night.
Appearances included Bob Griese, Archie Griffin, Eddie George, Dick Butkus, Ron
Dayne, Dallas Clark and many more.

I caught up with a few of the stars in attendance to see
what they thought of the B1G Ten and the Championship Game.

Former Athlete: Ron
Dayne

School: Wisconsin

Achievements: Holds
the NCAA record for most rushing yards, Big Ten Player of the Year 1999,
All-American in 1996, '98, '99, 1999 Heisman Trophy Winner. (Between Ron Dayne and the endzone is not a place I want to be)

His thoughts on
Montee Ball and prediction on the game:

"He's just out there having fun. They're winning and he's
breaking records - that's great. Hopefully Wisconsin can win and it doesn't
come down to a Hail Mary again. As long as Wisconsin wins, I'll be very happy.
Maybe we'll win on a Hail Mary this time."

"It's just one big family especially in the first year for
an event like this. With the whole transition of two divisions, I think it's
something new and something fresh. Everybody seems to be taking it in stride.
Everyone and everything has been so positive and everyone is enjoying
themselves."

Former Athlete: Bob
Griese

School: Purdue

Achievements:
Two-time All-American, Second in Heisman voting in 1966, led Purdue to their
first Rose Bowl Appearance

His thoughts on the
big game "experience":

"Back in '67 when we took Purdue to the Rose Bowl, it was
all about the game. Now, there's a celebration all week. The Super Bowl has
turned in to a two-week festival. The games are much bigger. The game is what
everything is built around but they want to get the fans more involved. The
fans want to come and celebrate and do what they do best - celebrate.

His thoughts on the
Griese-Brees winner Russell Wilson:

"I saw Russell when he played for NC State and I was working
with ESPN. I knew before he went to Wisconsin how good a player he was. I knew
what type of player Wisconsin was getting. I thought Wisconsin would and should
be favored to win the Big Ten. He's an outstanding player and I think he's
going to be a pretty good NFL player as well."

I am just one of approximately 470,000 students that attend Big Ten universities but I take great pride in that and I was reminded why last night. Two teams will battle tonight to see who is "top dog" in the conference but in the end, I hope everyone realizes how great the conference as a whole is. It's big time, it's the Big Ten.